Upper Michigan is Drought Free for the First Time in over Two Years

Above normal rainfall amounts across Upper Michigan over the last 4 months has ended the lingering drought conditions. For the first time since the August 19, 2008 U.S. Drought Monitor issuance, Upper Michigan has not had a drought status. The very dry spring resulted in the drought peaking across the western and central portions of Upper Michigan in early June. But timely rainfall, which initially was located along the Wisconsin border, pushed farther north as the summer progressed and slowly reduced the drought areas. Ample precipitation across Houghton and Keweenaw counties during September, with over 7 inches of rain at the Houghton County Airport, eliminated the last remaining area of drought.